After losing park, Masjid Moth kids have no place to play

At the south Delhi colony of Masjid Moth, built by the DDA, children prefer to play computer games at home due to the absence of bigger parks. The elderly use the busy Outer Ring Road for their morning and evening walks.

The kids and residents of Masjid Moth had an option earlier - a large playground spread over six acres next to the colony. But the ground was handed over to Delhi Transco by DDA a few years ago for a power sub-station. The residents opposed the move and even fought the case in court, but lost.

"The ground was not only used by children of our colony, but also by those from the nearby Greater Kailash and Chirag Delhi to play as there was no other such open facility available nearby," said Ranju Minhas who had spearheaded the residents' campaign.

"What DDA does is actually grab land. They shouldn't take over parks, even if such services are necessary. What option do children have now? The parks in the colony are ornamental and not everyone can afford a membership at DDA's sports complexes," she said.

Masjid Moth is just one example of how Delhi is losing its open spaces and greens to more 'important' utilities such as roads and power sub stations.

"When we had resisted the building of the power sub-station but DDA said it was required due to the upcoming Commonwealth Games. What is the point of having the Games if our children can't play in open spaces," she said.